Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-16

From the Washington Post
w. f Curtis In a dispatch 20 the Chicago Ncscs
last night, said: caught Commissioner opcrly
out walking to-day, aud asked him IL he Was
aware OF the panic his new rules about promotion
had created In the Government Departments here
and the discussion they had aroused in the news
papers throughout the country
"Yes" be answered from behind his yrell-k novu
smile, 81 have noticed that there Is stampede in
Washington ana that the partisan papers OF 10th
pares m ,nat @ ~ = aciesery organized scheme
as 90 get democrats appointed. 1 am very much
afraid both the republicans who charge this and
the democrats who have hopes will be disap-
pointed. We do not propose 10 lend ourselves 10
any such transaction, and clerks who are AFRAID OF
the new rules remind me OF a lot OF dogs barking
at their own shadows"
THE WORK OF THE PRESIDENT.
"IIow did this new wrinkle come abouts" I
asked.
.sWhen was first appointed on the Commits.
sion," said Mr. 0berly, 81 discovered that the law
called for a test examination for promotion
well as for appointment, and proposed practically
the same set OF rules that have Just been adopted
That was fully eight months ago. The President
cordially approved them, but after consideration
IL was concluded that We were not quite prepared
for such radical action, and their PRONUNCIATION
was postponed. Well, the other DAY the SECRETARY
OF War; who has lot or promotions 10 make 20 MI
vacancies. was unwilling 10 make them without
competitive examination, or At least an eNamina-
ton that would show who was most entitled TO
advancement, called on the President for advice.
Inc President told MIN OF the rules We na0 pre-
pared long time ago FOR such cases, and the re-
suit was that they are revived The President
took the lveliest interest I'm revising the rules,
and Is entitled 10 the credit OF whatever good they
may result In. He rfddled the old rules had pre-
pared in q savage manner. and the new ones are
practically his own. He suggested the clause
compelling all clerks 10 submit 10 the Pxamina-
tion. resisted great many OF his suggestions,
and prepared myself carefully 10 argue him out OF
them, but the result was that he argued me In,
and they stand as he made them.
no OCCASION FOR A SCARE
"what Is the occasion for the scarce
"There is no occasion for ft-not the slightest
We DO not intend TO compel the clerks 10 submit
to an examination that would puzzle a college
professor, as one paper puts IL, but TO provide
tests TO demonstrate their fitness for the work
they are now doing, and their fitness for greater
tests. The object Is To
prevent tile promotion OF persons who are unfit
to be promoted, and secure the advancement OF
the fitJest. Under the old system the most agree
able the most affable, the most popular, the most
sycophantic clerks got promotions. regardless oc
merit, and the most meritor1ous men failed be-
cause they did not possess the arts OF the courier
Promotions were made upon political preference,
and refused upon personal prejudice Men were
promoted because OF their social lalaccompllshments,
or their political influence, and that Is what We
want 10 stop.
NOT MATTER or BooK-LEARNISG.
"Cpon the theory that the Government Is enti.
tied 10 the services OF the most competent men In
the more responsible places; TO send 10 the top
| those who belong there, and TO send down those
VINO I, regardless OF social.
cal preferences or prejudices, the new rules
framed, and the examinations Tor promotion will
| hot be made when a vacancy exists, but before.
The examinations Will be practical, for the pur-
| pose OF ascertaining-not the amount OF book
learning a clerk has, but his fitness TO occupy the
| position he holds, and to perform the duties To
which he is or 10 which he may be assigned see
| by the papers that the clerks In the War Depart
| ment are getting down their old school books and
| cramming for the examinations They are vast
| ing their time They had better be mending their
ways as 10 punctuaty and industry.
ga man must have a certain amount OF book
knowledge, certain degree OF intelligence. and y
certain amount OF general Information In order to
I'LL any position. We assume that, and because &c
is so there will be test or his scholastic accom-
plishmeAts, 10 which a certain amount OF weight
will be given. AS for instance, In the examination
OF clerks In one class for promotion 20 another, We
| shall ascertain his penmanship, his ability 10
tranScrfbe correctly, his knowledge OF arithmetic,
his spelling, punctuation, &c. These, IL they can
be considered scholastic accomplishments Will be
rated as one. Then his knowledge OF office work,
| OF the duties he Is required TO perform, Will bs
rated as two. Then his general efficiency, by
| which mean his punctuality, his fdelity his In
dustry, his accuracy, his personal habits, VIII bs
| rated as four. These three tests with total "
seven, will therefore stand as one is 20 two s 70
four. Do make IL clear? To re-state the case.
We consider ft four times as important that man
| shall be industrious, punctual, and have good
| habits as that he shall be good penfnan and be
| fair arithmetician."